From our special correspondent in Abidjan – The miracle continues for Ivory Coast, qualified for the CAN 2024 final! The host country team logically beat DR Congo on Wednesday in the semi-final thanks to a goal from Sébastien Haller (1-0). At home, she will challenge Nigeria on Sunday for a third star.
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The Elephants don’t stop! No incredible scenario this time, nor turnaround, but Ivory Coast continues its quest for a third title. On Wednesday February 7, she overcame DR Congo 1-0 in the semi-final and will face Nigeria in the final.
Already miraculous three times in its African Cup at home, Côte d’Ivoire now believes in its destiny and in its third star. Just like its supporters who fill the Ébimpé stadium to the brim and give their voice to chase away the ghosts of the humiliating defeat inflicted here by Equatorial Guinea. Even deprived of four of its starters, the Elephants still want to return for the final.
Read alsoCAN 2024: where and when the African Cup final will take place
However, in the first minutes, it is the DR Congo, exciting outsiders of this CAN, which takes the game into its own hands. She gets several corners and on one of them, Yahia Fofana is struggling to catch the ball, hampered by Elia, who allows Bakambu to score. The Congolese goal is logically refused for this fault by Elia (9th).
A balanced half-time
Supported by their supporters, the Elephants ended up reacting. Fofana launches Adingra who provokes on the left in front of Kalulu and crosses at ground level. It was no problem for Mpasi but Mbemba still throws himself and sends the ball for a corner (16th).
The highlights follow one another on both sides of the field. The teams put on a show, like Bakambu (24th) then Haller (26th), who both attempted acrobatic flips. Kakuta, back after missing the quarters, also shines.
But the Elephants spend the second before returning from the locker room. Haller is alone in front of goal when he takes a cross from the right, but he sends his header out of Mpasi’s cage (40th). Then, well served by Gradel, Franck Kessié sees his instant shot bounce off Mpasi’s post (43rd). The whole stadium stood up on both occasions.
Returning from the locker room, Sébastien Desabre makes a change: Kakuta is replaced by Theo Bongonda, who appears immediately. He performs a festival in the Ivorian area but misses his conclusion, which misses (49th).
Haller finds the loophole
But apart from this brilliant move, the Leopards are falling back and seem blocked by the Ivorian midfielder. Franck Kessié, served on the right side, follows up with a powerful curling shot. Mpasi diverts (59th).
On the other hand, the Congolese goalkeeper cannot do anything about Haller’s recovery a few minutes later. Gradel is in the center. The Dortmund striker seems to miss his recovery but his volley lobs Mpasi (65th, 1-0). The stadium capsizes with happiness.
He screams again when his favorite misses the double. On a long ball thrown by Ndicka on the left, Kalulu got a hole. The ball lands at the feet of Haller who attempts a 20-meter lob, just wide (71st).
Before giving up his place, Elia sounds the revolt after the refreshment break. He attempts a volley from the edge of the area. Yahia Fofana was beaten but it was missed (78th). Seko Fofana responds with a 20-meter strike, pushed back by the Congolese defense (79th).
Ivory Coast has its victory and is not going to let it slip away like that. She plays together, locks the game and punches her ticket for the final. Twenty-nine days after playing the opening match, she will return to Ébimpé and her fiery atmosphere for the final against Nigeria. A real star-studded duel.
